Respecting the Solar Flambeau it is the positive conviction of DR. PANCOAST that his photosphere is one vast flame of intense fire-a living and perpetual incandescence, the fuel being Hydrogen and Oxygen-Hydrogen, as before said, being negative, and Oxygen the positive, polarization of the Ether- of the all-pervading Ether, which furnishes a so inexhaustible supply as to meet his every want-his utmost needs.

DR. BUSH, referring to the opinions of the philosophers, speaks of Light as a subtile, etherial, all-pervading fluid which produces brilliance from being excited by appropriate agents, notably, the Sun of our system.

ABBE PLUCHE (History of the Heavens) recognizes Light as a principle in the Universe which exists apart from the body of the Sun. He says: "The Light always ready to cheer us so soon as the least fire shall agitate it stands in no need of the Sun to subsist around us."

We add that Modern Science in the recognition of the Ether as the Light-principle is virtually admitting the identity of Light with Darkness for the reason that the normal condition of the Ether is dark and cold and out of Darkness ever comes forth the Light.

GRAND LODGE OF WEST VIRGINIA.

DECISIONS OF THE GRAND MASTER.

The following are the decisions of the Grand Master, which were approved by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence:

The following resolution was passed by the Masonic Board of Trustees of the Wheeling Lodges, and the opinion of the Grand Master was asked thereon:

Resolved, That the Secretary pro tem. be instructed to write to the Grand Master, and ask his decision, whether under the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, our Lodges can share the use of their Lodge room and furniture with any other Masonic Bodies than those who recognize their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.

The Grand Master replied as follows:

In reply I would say there is nothing in the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia that forbids the Lodges of Wheeling or elsewhere from sharing the use of their Lodge room

and furniture with any body, Masonic or otherwise, whom they may choose to admit. The only decision upon the subject was rendered by Grand Master Bates, in 1867, in these words:

"It is not expedient for Masons to hold joint occupancy of Lodge rooms with Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, Odd Fellows, or or any similar society."

This decision has been reiterated by every Grand Master since 1867, and the non expediency of such a joint occupation has the force of actual prohibition of such joint occupancy.

I. If there be any other objection to the advancement of a brother than a want of proficiency, should such objection be in the form of written charges?

Answer - Yes, unless objection be made by a brother either openly in Lodge or privately to the Master. In all cases of advancement from one degree to another, the only question to be ballotted upon is the proficiency of the candidate. His moral qualifications are not under review. See Article 21 of the General Laws and Regulations. See also Decision by Grand Master Logan in 1872, and Decision by Grand Master Baird in 1878.

2. A brother is elected Master of a Lodge, he serves his term of office, at the expiration of which it is discovered that he has never served as Warden. Is he eligible to reëlection as Master?

Answer-Yes. The object of "the Ancient Regulation requiring the Master to have served as Warden" was simply to make only skilful and experienced Masons eligible to election as Master. The actual and acceptable service of a brother as Master during one year is stronger proof of his capacity than the fact of his having served as Warden. But the rule should not on this account be relaxed in the first place

3. A Lodge that meets but once a month, at a stated meeting elected a candidate to be initiated. He did not present himself that evening, and a meeting was called one week thereafter for the purpose of conferring the first degree. The candidate was initiated, and three weeks thereafter, at a stated communication of the Lodge, he asked to be advanced. He was strictly examined as to his proficiency, and answered correctly in all respects Is he eligible to advancement, or must thirty days expire before he can receive the next degree?

Answer—He is eligible. See Decision by Committee on Jurisprudence in 1873.

A resolution of the Grand Lodge adopted in 1881 (see page 640 of the reprint) in relation to the dissemination of the unwritten work, provided that the several Deputy Grand Lecturers after receiving instruction from the Grand Lecturer, should "convene the Masters and Wardens of each Lodge in their several districts and impart to them," &c. Is it in the power of a Lodge to vote its officers out of the privileges thus offered, when the officers desire to avail themselves of such instruction ?

Answer-No. The resolution cited provides that the Lodge may designate others to attend and receive instruction only in case the Master and Warden cannot attend.

5. The By-Laws of a Lodge provide for summoning a member to show cause why he should not be suspended when he owes for dues more than a certain specified sum. Can he by paying enough to bring the debt below the sum stated, defeat the summons?

Answer-No. He is answerable to the Lodge for the whole amount of his dues, and should obey the summons. He was sum

moned to pay the whole sum, not merely a part thereof.

6. Can a brother who has been summoned to pay dues vote on a resolution to reduce the annual dues while he still owes the Lodge the full amount he was summoned to pay?

Answer-That depends upon the provisions of the By-Laws of the Lodge. In most cases it is required that the voter must be "clear of the books," or, if in arrears at all, not beyond a certain

amount.

7. Is there any rule of the Grand Lodge that would forbid the use of the Lodge room of Harmony Lodge, No. 59, for a ball to be given on Christmas night for the benefit of the Lodge?

In answer I would say that there is no rule upon the subject, and I am not now aware that a similar question has been proposed to any previous Grand Master in this State. But my own opinion is decidedly adverse to the giving of a public ball in a Lodge room. No matter to what purpose the funds thus collected may be applied. You propose to hold a ball for revenue. Of course, every person

who can purchase a ticket must be admitted. The dance is not likely to improve the moral tone of the Lodge, or enhance its good reputation in the community. Therefore, to the extent of my au

thority as Grand Master, I disapprove the use of the Lodge room of Harmony Lodge. No. 59, for a public ball to be held Christmas. night, or at any other time.

8. Question-Can a Lodge under Dispensation admit Masons who apply for membership by filing dimits with applications in due form ?

Answer-A Lodge under Dispensation can do only what the Dispensation give it authority to do, viz., to enter, pass and raise Masons. It cannot affiliate members by receiving their petitions and dimits.

Question-Can a Mason join a Lodge in this State, and at the same time retain his membership in a Lodge in Pennsylvania? Answer-Section 18 of General Regulations, prohibits dual membership everywhere. A brother, cannot, therefore, retain membership in Pennsylvania and become a member of a Lodge in this State.

IO. Question-A railway postal clerk whose parents reside in Charleston, but whose headquarters are in Huntington, where all his mail, telegrams, etc., are sent, desires to apply to Huntington Lodge for membership. Would it be legal for him to do so?

Answer-The jurisdiction of the Lodge is determined by the legal residence of the candidate. The Lodge nearest the place where the candidate claims citizenship and votes has jurisdiction to receive his petition for the mysteries of Masonry.

II. Question (1) When a brother prefers charges against another brother and fails to substantiate them, does he not then have to be suspended or expelled if the charges are sufficient to suspend or expel? (2) Has a brother the right to black ball a candidate after he has been initiated as an E. A., upon the question of moral character, to prevent him from being passed?

Answer as to the first question-Certainly not.

As to second-A Mason has no right to black ball an Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft seeking advancement, for reasons affecting his moral character alone. The Regulations are explicit upon this subject. But the law is equally clear that a Lodge can not violate the secrecy of the ballot box or inquire who cast a nega. tive vote in any case whatever.

12. Question-Is it lawful for a Lodge to call a meeting for the purpose of conferring the M. M.'s Degree, and ballot in a special meeting for the same?

Answer-No. See page 648 "Reprint" of West Virginia Grand Lodge proceedings.

Question-Can a Masonic Lodge legally attend the funeral in a body (as a Lodge) of a deceased brother when the deceased had also been a member of another secret society, and the members of that secret society also attend the funeral in a body and perform their funeral rites? In short, should not Masons demand and have exclusive charge of the body of a deceased brother, and when that cannot be had should they not abstain from all participation in the funeral exercises?

Answer-Masons should not appear in any public procession unless engaged in the performance of Masonic work.

Question-Should a Lodge grant a dimit to a member while under charges for un-Masonic conduct?

Answer-No. See Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, page 233. 15. Question-A committee is appointed by a majority vote of a Lodge to transact certain business, with instructions to discharge the duties for which they are appointed, and report their proceedings to the Lodge at its next stated communication. The committee appoints a time and place to consider said business. The time arrives; they meet, and the business is legally laid before them. The majority refuses to act in the matter. The minority then takes the responsibility and discharges the duties. At the stated communication, spoken of above, the majority made a report that they had not discharged the duties for which they were appointed. The report is rejected by the Lodge. The minority then made a report that they had discharged the duties enjoined upon the committee. The minority report is received by a majority vote of the Lodge, and the committee is discharged. Are such proceedings legal?

Answer-A Lodge may adopt a minority report, if it chooses to do so.

16. Question-A petition was received, laid over the usual time, ballotted for, and found clear. After a week or two had elapsed, some of the members objected to his being initiated, claiming that they had good reasons, but stating none. Now, what way should the Lodge proceed? Is the petitioner entitled to a trial, or not? If he is, in what way must he be tried?

Answer - Objections after a favorable ballot must be voluntarily withdrawn by the objector before the degrees can be conferred.